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Aug 28, 2026 · Catalog foundation is up

Product feature · runtime

Per-subagent model selectionCommon product term

Choose or constrain each child agent's model independently of the parent.

Terminology basis: Common product term. Anthropic — Create custom subagents

Per-subagent model selection: 7 supported, 0 partial, 0 unsupported, 24 unreviewed across 31 cataloged products.

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Explore this familyMore in Subagents9 capabilities

Current evidence by product

Can my agent use Per-subagent model selection?

Read across for the answer. 7 of 31 current product columns have reviewed evidence; unreviewed does not mean unsupported.

Known issues (0)Report an issue
  • Supported7
  • Partial0
  • Unsupported0
  • Unknown24
  • Not applicable0

Web

9 products

Desktop

13 products

CLI

9 products

Unknown means no public evidence has been reviewed for that product and capability. It does not mean unsupported.

How statuses are assigned

Definition and scope

What this capability means

This row requires a per-child model selection, role default, or enforceable model constraint. A model chosen once for the whole conversation does not establish independent sub-agent choice.

Evidence should record which actors can select the model, allowed models and reasoning modes, fallbacks, plan restrictions, tool and media compatibility, cost attribution, and whether nested agents inherit or override the selection.

Traceable compatibility

Assertion ledger

Documentation evidence only. No runtime conformance test is implied.

ChatGPTdesktop · current
Supported
Target
current ChatGPT desktop documentation · dated-documentation
Environment
local-default
Observed
2026-08-28
  • runtimelocal Codex allows explicit child model/reasoning values, agents defaults, or custom-agent file settings; explicit values have highest precedence
Evidence
Codex CLIcli · current
Supported
Target
current Codex CLI documentation · dated-documentation
Environment
local-default
Observed
2026-08-28
  • runtimeexplicit child values override agents defaults, which override inherited parent values; custom-agent files can then set model and reasoning effort
Evidence
Gemini CLIcli · current
Supported
Target
current Gemini CLI documentation · dated-documentation
Environment
local-default
Observed
2026-08-28
  • runtimeagent definitions and overrides can select a child model; /model and --model do not override child models
Evidence
Cursordesktop · current
Supported
Target
current Cursor subagent documentation · dated-documentation
Environment
local-default
Observed
2026-08-28
  • planteam policy, plan eligibility, or legacy Max Mode requirements may override an explicit child model
Evidence
Copilot CLIcli · current
Supported
Target
current GitHub Copilot CLI documentation · dated-documentation
Environment
local-default
Observed
2026-08-28
  • runtimeper-call values override subagents settings, agent model/reasoning fields, and finally the parent session
Evidence
Claude CLIcli · current
Supported
Target
current Claude Code subagent documentation · dated-documentation
Environment
local-default
Observed
2026-08-28
  • runtimeavailable model aliases and effort levels depend on the account and current model catalog
Evidence
Copilot Chatdesktop · current
Supported
Target
current VS Code subagent documentation · dated-documentation
Environment
local-default
Observed
2026-08-28
  • planthe requested child model cannot exceed the cost tier of the parent model and must be available to the current Copilot plan
Evidence
  1. 1. Evidence checked 2026-08-28: Claude Code subagent definitions accept a `model` field with aliases or a full model ID and can separately set child reasoning `effort`; omitted values inherit session defaults.
  2. 2. Evidence checked 2026-08-28: Local Codex supports explicit spawn values, global subagent model/reasoning defaults, and per-custom-agent model and reasoning settings with documented precedence.
  3. 3. Evidence checked 2026-08-28: Gemini CLI custom subagents accept an independent model setting; the main /model selection does not override subagent models.
  4. 4. Evidence checked 2026-08-28: Cursor subagents accept inherit or an explicit model ID plus per-model parameters such as speed, reasoning effort, and context window.
  5. 5. Evidence checked 2026-08-28: GitHub Copilot CLI resolves subagent model and reasoning values from per-call overrides, subagent settings, agent definitions, then the parent session.
  6. 6. Evidence checked 2026-08-28: VS Code resolves a child model from an explicit invocation parameter, a custom agent's model or fallback list, or the parent model, in that priority order.